Soulmates in Disguise

Shadow of Power

Ria and Taehyung were enjoying a moment together, discussing plans for their engagement, when the boutique door swung open with a commanding force. Mrs. Arora, Ria’s mother, entered the room with an imposing presence. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, landing on Ria and Taehyung, who immediately felt the temperature drop several degrees.

Mrs. Arora’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise,” she said, her tone dripping with cold satisfaction. “I’m glad to see you’re finally making progress, Ria. It’s about time you started showing some appreciation for the plans I’ve set in motion.”

Ria stiffened, her earlier happiness quickly dissolving into anxiety. “Mother,” she began carefully, “I’m with Taehyung because I like him, not because you forced me into it.”

Ms. Arora’s smile remained, but there was a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Is that so? Well, it’s good to know you’re finally doing something right. But remember, if I wanted to, I could change the groom in a heartbeat. You know I have the power to do that anytime I choose.”

Ria felt her stomach drop. The casual way her mother spoke about such a life-altering decision made her blood run cold. “Why, Mother?” Ria’s voice trembled as she questioned her. “Why do you treat my life like a business transaction? I’m already following your orders, I’m doing what you want—what more could you possibly want from me?”

Mrs. Arora’s expression hardened, her tone cutting through the air like ice. “I don’t care whether you like Taehyung or not, Ria. Your feelings don’t matter. What matters is that you follow through with what’s commanded of you, no questions asked.”

Ria’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, her voice shaking with barely controlled anger. “I am not your puppet, Mother. I have a right to choose my own life.”

Mrs. Arora’s eyes narrowed, and with a swift, unexpected movement, she slapped Ria across the face. The sound echoed in the room, and Ria stumbled back, her cheek stinging with the force of the blow.

Taehyung’s heart stopped at the sight. A surge of rage and protectiveness coursed through him, his fists clenched, he was shocked and pain on Ria’s face stirred something deeper. He wanted to be the one to shield her, to stop any harm from coming to her. But before he could react, the door burst open, and Jungkook, who had been outside, rushed in.

Jungkook’s eyes immediately locked onto Ria, and when he saw the red mark on her cheek, something snapped within him. He crossed the room in a heartbeat, placing himself between Ria and her mother, his protective instincts flaring. “How dare you treat her like that?” he growled, his voice filled with barely contained fury. “You have no right to lay a hand on her.”

Mrs. Arora’s gaze turned icy as she faced Jungkook. “And who are you to question me? This is a family matter, and you’re out of line.”

Jungkook’s expression hardened, his stance unyielding. “I don’t care about your family matters. No one deserves to be treated like this.”

Ria, trembling and overwhelmed, reached out and gently pulled on Jungkook’s arm. “Jungkook, please, stop,” she whispered urgently, her voice shaky.

Taehyung, standing just behind Jungkook, felt a bitter mix of emotions—relief that Jungkook had stepped in to protect Ria, but also a deep discomfort, seeing someone else in the role he desperately wanted to play. Still, he knew this was not the time to let his feelings show. He stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation. “Mrs. Arora,” he said, his voice strained yet calm, “I apologize for how things have escalated, but what you did was wrong. You have no right to treat Ria like that.”